CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – The Harper College women's basketball team could not hold onto a halftime lead at McHenry County College on Tuesday night and ended up losing 63-54.

Harper (1-2) got off to a fast start with a 16-5 lead after the first period. McHenry, however, closed the gap to a six-point deficit, 26-20, at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Scots exploded for 22 points and took a 42-39 lead into the fourth period. In the fourth quarter, they outscored the Hawks 21-15.

Harper featured a very balanced attack, with eight players scoring five or more points. Jackie Stroud (Norridge, Ill. /Ridgewood) led the team with 10 points and six rebounds, and sophomores Kim Herzog (/Buffalo Grove) and Ashonte Sims (Bloomington, Ill. /Normal Community West) both scored eight points. Lane Winkler (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows), Tamara Zivak (/Barrington), and Nastia Solsaa (Menomonie, Wis. /Menomonie ) each chipped in six points.

The Hawks stay on the road as they play at Illinois Valley Community College (3-1) on Thursday evening at 5:30 PM.